During the week ending August 15, metallurgical coke prices in the Chinese domestic market have remained on a stable trend, while transaction activity has continued to be at decent levels. As of August 15, coke futures contract (1501) offers at Dalian Commodity Exchange closed at RMB 1,105/mt ($180/mt), down $4/mt week on week. Local coke prices in the Chinese domestic market can be viewed in the SteelOrbis price reports section.
Since steelmakers' coke inventories have been at low levels, they have needed to purchase coke to maintain their daily production, and so sentiment in the coke market has improved. In addition, the weather in China is no longer as hot as it was and some steelmakers have accelerated their coke purchasing activity in order to prepare for production in the autumn. Meanwhile, local governments are focusing on environmental protection issues, with coking plants' production levels thereby being limited. It is thought that coke prices in the Chinese domestic market may see slight rises due to possible supply shortages in the coming period.